| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | | Presented by |  | | | Good Tuesday morning! Happy Primary Day! Bob Menendez, who for so long held so much sway over the New Jersey Democratic Party, is running for reelection as an independent. The indicted senator’s political career is over. We all know that if he’s going to have any effect on this race at all, it’s as a spoiler — and even that seems unlikely. So it’s all the more interesting that most high-profile Democrats in the state have lined up behind his son, Rob Menendez, for reelection. And Rob Menendez has repeatedly refused to weigh in on his father’s independent run. I wonder if the elder Menendez will make good on the implied threat when he said he knows “where all the skeletons in closets are.” I think I speak for everyone who’s not a New Jersey Democratic politician when I say I’d like to see those skeletons. But it doesn’t speak well of Menendez to have said nothing about them until his political career was dashed. Menendez hasn’t really made clear whether he’ll stay in the race if he’s found guilty. If he beats the charges, the threat of his candidacy could be enough to force Democrats to spend some money. Menendez likely won't have much or any campaign money left after paying his lawyers. But I could easily see some kind of pro-Republican super PAC coming in late in the election to try to boost Menendez with targeted ads in Hudson County. As for primary 2024: Here are the storylines to watch on Election Day TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at MFriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Let the mayor know that Senator Menendez is going to be on speakerphone. The senator is going to be listening when his son asks for an endorsement.” — An aide to Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, according to Bhalla, regarding Rep. Rob Menendez’s first run for Congress in 2022. Bhalla is challenging Rob Menendez in today’s primary. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Thom Ammirato, Jim Manion, Rick Thigpen WHERE’S MURPHY? — No public schedule
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BEEF BORINGNON – One of prosecutors’ key witnesses in Sen. Bob Menendez’s corruption trial spent part of the Monday under cross-examination talking about a livestock food additives. The witness, Ted McKinney, was called to the stand on Friday to talk about a 2019 call from Menendez that prosecutors say the senator made in exchange for bribes from a New Jersey company granted a monopoly by Egypt over halal meat certification.
McKinney, a former USDA undersecretary in the Trump administration said last week that he would “never forget the words” Menendez told him during the brief call: “Stop interfering with my constituent.” But on Monday, he made clear Menendez never threatened him. “He made no threats,” McKinney told jurors during cross examination by Menendez attorney Adam Fee. Fee also led McKinney into lengthy exchanges about ractopamine, a chemical added to feed that encourages cows to produce more lean meat. McKinney used to work for a company that invented the controversial chemical. Egypt only began allowing beef with the chemical in while McKinney was at USDA. Fee’s questions — some of which were stuck by a judge after objections from prosecutors — seemed designed to portray McKinney as someone looking out for his old industry (something critics said in 2017), while Menendez was looking out for a New Jersey-based constituent (which is why his defense team said he made the call — not because of bribes). Whatever the intent of the questions, discussions of ractopamine levels allowed by various countries turned the day of trial into the sort of grind that worked for Menendez when previous corruption charges ended in a 2017 mistrial after salacious allegations of Dominican sex workers, flights on private jets and scenes of luxurious villas gave way in the courtroom to technical details about Medicare reimbursements and credit card points. At least one juror appeared to nod off and at least another yawned, and that was on a day when jurors didn’t have to report until after lunch, not the usual 9:30 a.m. start time. “Bless you,” McKinney said, when the judge told him he could step down at the end of the day. – Ry Rivard
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SCHOOL SEGREGATION — “NJ school segregation lawsuit talks may continue for months. Here's what they're saying,” by The Record’s Mary Ann Koruth: “Parties involved in confidential negotiations say progress is slow to resolve a lawsuit alleging that New Jersey’s public schools are segregated because of residency laws that send children to schools in their ZIP code. After entering mediation late last year and extending it once, the plaintiffs say they need at least two more months, if not more, to arrive at a solution and avoid entering a long and expensive trial. That solution, still being crafted, has the potential to transform how children are matched with schools in New Jersey. … Lawrence Lustberg, the attorney for the plaintiffs, suggested in a letter to the courts that the groups are making headway. .... Solutions could include expanding inter-district choice, which permits students to attend school in a municipality they do not reside in, as well as magnet and public charter schools.”
BORED PEOPLE WILL SOON QUALIFY FOR UNENJOYMENT INSURANCE — “Senate panel moves to expand unemployment eligibility for college students,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Nikita Biryukov: “A Senate panel approved a raft of changes to the state’s unemployment system that would expand eligibility for university students, bar the mandatory return of some overpayments, and expand awards for those caring for individuals with developmental disabilities. … ‘Under the current policy, if you are a student working to put yourself through school and lose your job, you will then be at a much greater risk of dropping out as you will no longer have the income to support your schooling,’ Asaro-Angelo said. … The proposed eligibility expansion drew opposition from some business groups who feared it would raise rates on businesses that hire college students.” THE EAGLE HAS SUFFICIENTLY SPREAD — “New Jersey plans to drop the bald eagle from its endangered species list,” by The AP’s Mike Catalini: “New Jersey proposed Monday removing the bald eagle from its endangered species list, citing a rebound since more than four decades ago, when a single nesting pair in a remote county were the only of its kind in the state. The turnaround stems from the work of volunteers and state professionals who nurtured hatchlings, guarded nests and educated the public, state environmental Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said in a statement. The proposed rule to delist the bald eagle as endangered includes the osprey, which was considered threatened, as well. The proposal means the bald eagle, a national symbol of the United States, and the osprey have recovered to the point where the survival of those species is no longer in jeopardy, according to the department.”
| | | | THE GOLD STANDARD OF POLICY REPORTING & INTELLIGENCE: POLITICO has more than 500 journalists delivering unrivaled reporting and illuminating the policy and regulatory landscape for those who need to know what’s next. Throughout the election and the legislative and regulatory pushes that will follow, POLITICO Pro is indispensable to those who need to make informed decisions fast. The Pro platform dives deeper into critical and quickly evolving sectors and industries—finance, defense, technology, healthcare, energy—equipping policymakers and those who shape legislation and regulation with essential news and intelligence from the world’s best politics and policy journalists.
Our newsroom is deeper, more experienced, and better sourced than any other—with teams embedded in the world’s most active legislative and regulatory power centers. From Brussels to Washington, New York to London, Sacramento to Paris, we bring subscribers inside the conversations that determine policy outcomes and the future of industries, providing insight that cannot be found anywhere else. Get the premier news and policy intelligence service, SUBSCRIBE TO POLITICO PRO TODAY. | | | | | GOP CONSULTANT STEVE KUSH ALREADY HAS THOUSANDS OF STRAINS NAMED AFTER HIM — “N.J. Gov. Murphy wants more equity in the state’s flowering cannabis industry,” by WHYY’s P. Kenneth Burns: “The flavor is described as ‘a delightful mix of sour lemon, sweet tangerine, with hints of diesel and pine.’ This strain of cannabis, launched last January, is named after New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. ‘We were like, ‘Let’s try to get Governor Murphy’s attention with this one,’ said David Nicolas, CEO of Prolific Growhouse. ‘I didn’t expect him to give me a surprise visit.’ Murphy’s visit to the Mt. Holly–based cannabis cultivator happened Thursday, where he was introduced to the flier that was promoting the strain named for him, ‘Murphy’s Sourz.’” —“Murphy approvals at 46%-43%, new poll shows” —“[Tom Kean] is N.J.’s favorite governor, new poll shows. And it’s not even close””
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YOU’VE LOST THAT BRIBIN’ FEELING — “Bob Menendez is settling into a complex and dramatic trial — by crooning,” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “The hallway outside the courtroom on the 23rd floor of the Daniel Patrick Moynihan federal courthouse in Manhattan was the last place I expected to hear the lilting tremolo of a lounge singer, crooning a cappella. My first guess was that it was music accidentally popping up on someone’s iPhone. But a colleague nodded in the direction of a corner where, sure enough, it was U.S. Senator and criminal defendant Bob Menendez … warbling to himself as he gazed out at a lower Manhattan skyline, his tone shifting from tenor to dash of baritone. … ‘What was that song you were singing?’ I asked Menendez as we filed back into U.S. Justice Sidney Stein’s courtroom. … ‘You sounded a little like The Righteous Brothers,’ I said. Menendez laughed momentarily, surprised by the reference. He then moved quickly back into the bank of lawyers and other co-defendants on the left side of the courtroom for another grueling afternoon of listening to a federal prosecutor stitch together the alleged conspiracy through a tedious recitation of emails, texts and voice messages — the government's tawdry, corrupt biography of Menendez in the close of a tumultuous career.”
POTATO LOBBY DOESN’T LAND TUBER — “Menendez chief of staff is leaving for new job,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Bob Menendez’s chief of staff, Jason Tuber, is leaving this month to take a private sector job, ending a stint of nearly nineteen years with the senior U.S. Senator from New Jersey. Tuber’s departure comes while Menendez is on trial for federal corruption charges, and just as he begins to run for re-election as an independent. He is joining PIM Brands, a brand name snack foods manufacturer based out of his hometown of Park Ridge.” TALES FROM THE CRYPTO — “Super PAC spending colors the 11th hour of Rep. Menendez vs. Bhalla CD-8 race,” by Hudson County View’s John Heinis: “Super PAC spending is coloring the 11th hour of the 8th District congressional race, where U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez and Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla will easily combine to spend over $4 million, with independent expenditures factored in. Protect Progress, a cryptocurrency special interest PAC, spent a total of $215,063 on Wednesday and Friday for media production/ad buy to support Menendez, which includes at least one Spanish language video. … On the other hand, Bhalla has received some help from another super PAC, America’s Promise, has spent $389,086.25 on ads attacking Menendez, which includes spending $110,901.25 between May 28th and June 1st, according to FEC filings.” —“Op-Ed: Blaming the son for the sins of the father is wrong, and lazy” —“Rep. Pascrell faces primary challenge over Gaza stance”
| | | | JOIN US ON 6/12 FOR A TALK ON THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY: As air travel soars again, policymakers and airlines are grappling with a series of contemporary challenges to the industry's future. Join POLITICO on June 12 for a topical and timely conversation with government leaders and aviation stakeholders about the state of the airline industry. From what passengers want to what airlines need amid the high demand for air traffic, workers and technology solutions. What can Washington do to ensure passengers and providers are equipped to fly right? REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | LOCAL | | TOTO HOLDS THE LINE — “Judge blocks release of 'racially charged' Spotswood bodycam footage of mayor,” by MyCentralJersey’s Mike Deak: “A Superior Court judge has ruled that bodycam footage of Spotswood Mayor Jackie Palmer allegedly making racist comments to police during a meeting in her office will not be publicly released. Gannett, the publisher of MyCentralJersey.com and the Home News Tribune, and Spotswood resident Steve Wronko had requested the footage through the state's Open Public Records Act. … In the 53-page decision released on May 29, Toto ruled that the footage was not a government record as defined under OPRA nor a public record under the common law right of access. At the heart of the case is a recording made in the course of two April 2022 incidents when police were called to deal with a Black resident allegedly causing a disturbance at the municipal building. … ‘It is objectively reasonable that the mayor, having members of the police command in her office, expected the contests of that meeting would remain private,’ the judge wrote.” SAYNOTHINGVILLE — “Sayreville mayor has choice words for 'dopey people' at borough meetings,” by MyCentralJersey’s Susan Loyer: “A month after Mayor Kennedy O'Brien expressed concerns about residents asking questions at Borough Council meetings, calling some of them ‘dopey people … who have no life’ and using an expletive, the Council introduced an ordinance to shorten the time that members of the public can speak at meetings. The ordinance, which will be up for a public hearing and final vote on June 17, will allow members of the public to speak up to three minutes ‘in order to provide an opportunity for everyone to speak.’ The time limit is now five minutes … O'Brien said the new rule will increase the efficiency of meetings and said the meetings in the previous four years before he became mayor were ‘egregious.’ … The Borough Council approved the ordinance on first reading by a vote of 4 to 2.” THE HOME DESPOT — “Atlantic City schools superintendent gets ticket in Absecon for parking in handicap spot,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s John O’Connor: “The Atlantic City schools superintendent now has another court matter to attend to after allegedly parking in a handicap spot Friday outside a Home Depot, according to court records. La'Quetta Small, 47, is scheduled to appear in Absecon Municipal Court at 5 p.m. July 15. Officers responded to the Home Depot on Route 30 at 2:17 p.m. after receiving a call from a resident and ticketed Small, who was driving a 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe, records show.” —“New acting leader named to head N.J. prosecutor’s office where top official abruptly resigned” —“Piscataway mayor faces progressive challenger in Democratic primary” —“Wildwood police video shows chaotic scenes on the Boardwalk” —“A Native American sanctuary in Salem County gets green light to operate as a worship site, but only after ‘interrogation’” —“Former Palisades Park administrator files another suit against the borough. Here's why” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
MERGERS AND ALTERCATIONS — “No deal? Hudson Regional Hospital sues CarePoint for breach of merger pact,” by The Jersey Journal’s Teri West: “The mayor of Jersey City himself brokered the bargain, a deal that brought two rival local healthcare systems into a surprising partnership to chart a future for four of Hudson County’s six hospitals. Now it appears to have crumbled. Hudson Regional Hospital (HRH), which had planned to create a joint healthcare network with CarePoint Health to manage the four hospitals, sued CarePoint last week, alleging that CarePoint breached what HRH called a ‘binding term sheet’ between the two organizations. The 33-page lawsuit filed May 28 in Hudson County Superior Court — accompanied by hundreds of pages of supporting exhibits, including purported emails between CarePoint and HRH — illuminates both how much HRH could have gained from the deal and the new, at least temporary, allegiance CarePoint opted for instead.”
LOSEBAGO — “Out-of-control ‘Trump Trailer’ from NJ ends up heavily damaged,” by NJ 101.5’s Dan Alexander: “Make the RV great again. That's the message from Rocky Granata, of Toms River, after the RV known as the "Trump Trailer" was found heavily damaged early Sunday afternoon next to a utility pole near Hylan Boulevard and Reid Avenue on Staten Island. ... The NYPD told New Jersey 101.5 that the operator said he had parked the vehicle and got out. When he returned, he saw it had hit a utility pole. A passenger inside was not injured. … Granata said on Facebook that he and his wife Donna Eiden and their cat are OK … The RV was also involved in a fatal crash in Toms River in 2019 when he broke down on Route 37. A car rear-ended the RV pushing it forward onto Anne M. Lovallo, 56, of Keyport who had been assisting Granata, according to Toms River police at the time.” —“First look inside the $20M N.J. Hall of Fame center at American Dream” — “Rumson dog knows the name for each of her 200 toys”
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